Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

One of these days I'm going to have to upgrade my brewing system. I currently gravity feed from a folding table into a 7.5 gal boil kettle, manually recirculate and batch sparge all my beers. There's a lot of lifting hot liquids involved.

I can't say that I have a major complaints as I can make good beer with the current setup. But, (as with most dudes) I have a hard time not coveting something sleek and shiny. (looking at you Matt F and Lee )

I'm not an engineer. I don't know jack about electricity or mechanics. I couldn't design anything to save my life, can't weld and I'm lazy as all hell.

This leads me to two options.

A pre made system like...

http://www.rubystreetbrewing.com

http://www.blichmannengineering.com/bre ... dular.html

or a DIY system like..

http://www.aleiens.com/profiles/blogs/w ... dless-brew

For the moment I'd like to stick with gas as I mentioned I'm not familiar with electrical installations.

Does anyone use a brewstand currently? If so, I'm looking for comments or suggestions. Thanks in advance!

I've upgraded a few months ago to the Blichmann Top Tier system with two gas burners.  You are welcome to stop by the next time I'm brewing to take a look.
On Nov 14, 2012 9:37 AM, "Steven P" <brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org)> wrote:

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If I was starting from scratch, I would check out the Blichmann stand Jim has for sure. I like its flexibility. I also really like my Hurricane burner for its efficiency, power and quietness. The Blichmann burners look similar and his stuff is made for us.

The single tier Brutus 10 double pump systems seem to have become the most popular I have seen on the web. You may be able to find something like that out there too.

I always liked the systems built by More Beer too. That is what I based mine off of when I started.

i dig a flat system, instead of the stand, just my 2 cents, and pumps and shiny things. but i also like to build things. Gravity is cool, but electric is awsome stuff too, no going outside, and no fumes and super loud burner, of course if you brew with mat by the time you get to making noise with the burner it doesn't matter anyway.

Someday I will own the Blichmann unit. I have yet to graduate to all grain, but planning to buy the Rubbermaid coolers and source the false bottom/fittings since I enjoy simple DIY projects. I like gravity...K.I.S.S.

when i get around to all-grain, i think i'm gonna shoot for a BIAB setup. seems like a pretty simple process, fits my style to a tee.

thinking about it a litte, maybe the addition of a single pump would help your brewday out, not alot, easy to plumb and could help with the lazy factor, less manual recirc, and its shiny

I started with Rubbermaid and the cheapest boil kettle, content to let gravity do its thing. As I get out of debt I find I am uncomfortable and have been staying in the red by buying Blichmann equipment, one item at a time. I do like the quality and convenience.

I used a Rubbermaid 10gallon cooler.  The only thing I don't like about it is the hole for the drain never gets really tight as you just wind up compressing the insulation.  I went with a SS braid....ala toilet connection  hose from menards.  Clipped both ends, pulled out the plastic tube, used copper wire from 14/2 Romex coiled around a pencil and slid into the braid to provide support so it wouldnt crush.  Works great and super cheap compared to a false bottom.  My other complaint about the Rubbermaid cooler is the interior wall warped a lot with the first use.  A LOT.   I may have gotten a defective cooler but I am worried that eventually it will crack and leak into the insulation.  Also wish it held 15 gallons.  If I had to do again I would use a Coleman extreme rectangle cooler instead.  Bout same price on amazon.  Upgrading to 20-30 gallon soon, so maybe I will sell the old stuff cheap.
Paul On Jan 5, 2013 10:21 AM, "jjbuck" <brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org)> wrote:

I started with Rubbermaid and the cheapest boil kettle, content to let gravity do its thing. As I get out of debt I find I am uncomfortable and have been staying in the red by buying Blichman equipement, one item at a time. I do like the quality and convenience.



Brother John Brewing
The Monk at the Marion Monastary

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Thanks all. I'll be getting a stand this year and have not yet decided on anything other than I wants one. It all depends on the money situation I suppose.

I am in love with the stout tanks and kettles and am considering 15 gal hlt,mlt and bk first and perhaps a top tier later and also upgrading to a gas fired bcs-460 or tower of power herms too. All that stainless is hard to resist.

Here is my stand.  Not sure attachments work. On Jan 5, 2013 11:30 AM, "Steven P" <brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org)> wrote:

Thanks all. I'll be getting a stand this year and have not yet decided on anything other than I wants one. It all depends on the money situation I suppose.

I am in love with the stout tanks and kettles and am considering 15 gal hlt,mlt and bk first and perhaps a top tier later and also upgrading to a gas fired bcs-460 or tower of power herms too. All that stainless is hard to resist.



"Payday came and with it beer"
- Rudyard Kipling

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prieff wrote:I went with a SS braid....ala toilet connection  hose from menards.  Clipped both ends, pulled out the plastic tube, used copper wire from 14/2 Romex coiled around a pencil and slid into the braid to provide support so it wouldnt crush.

That's brilliant! Did you just clamp over the end with a hose to plumb it in?

bcs460 - i have been looking at one for electric brewery 2.0 project.

From the SS 1/2 nipple goes to a copper 1/2 thread to straight fitting then to 1/2 to 3/8 T fitting.  Then about 1" of 3/8 copper out both sides of the T.  I looped the braid into a 10-12" circle which the ends slide over the 3/8 copper.  I can share  pic sometime.  I didn't invent this.  It was in Palmers book and in several forums.  I don't clamp the braid cuz it is like Chinese finger cuffs on the copper tube.
Paul On Jan 5, 2013 11:42 AM, "JimPotts" <brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org)> wrote:

prieff wrote: I went with a SS braid....ala toilet connection  hose from menards.  Clipped both ends, pulled out the plastic tube, used copper wire from 14/2 Romex coiled around a pencil and slid into the braid to provide support so it wouldnt crush.

That's brilliant! Did you just clamp over the end with a hose to plumb it in?

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Thanks, Paul.  I was wondering if the braid would unravel with the ends cut off, but I guess it must not.
-Jim

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